I grew up in Glen Burnie and as a kid this was where I would hang out. Montgomery Wards was on the opposite end and Toys R us on the other side. That is why we call it the Glen Burnie Mall simply because it was a mall. The end opposite had a large arcade (before and even after the arcade bust of 82 they had ton of classic games and pinball machines) across from M. Wards and the center area in front of Toys R Us had a handful of arcade machines rotated out of the arcade. I also helped Manage a pizza shop there in the mid-80’s. Between the old movie theatre that was there (Where I saw Return of the Jedi for the first time), the arcade, eventually Walden’s Book store which replaced the theater, Lamp Post (which was the middle of the mall dining area that had the best Crabcake sandwiches) and all the other food offerings they had. There was also a retired grandmother who worked there who I as a kid and teen would always talk too till she passed (I called her ‘gandmom’ - she wasn’t but this is what I called her). For this geek this was a home away from home for me. They also had community events in the mall and awesome car shows in the parking lot. I would remember walking across Ritchie Hwy to it, see what new games were at Toys R Us, goto Waldens to add to my DnD book collection (I had nearly all the early Dragonlance books and obsessively bought them), walk the mall checking out what was in the middle, then hang out at the arcade eventually getting pizza at Piece of the Pie (where I eventually worked and helped to manage). Late 80’s me and my friends at the time (all if us worked at the mall) would keep beer in the bottom part of the fridge at the Pizza place we worked and after closing the gate after hrs (like now, if you did not closeup in time,your store would be fined) we would just hang out, eat left over pizza (instead of tossing what wasn’t sold we would eat it - sometimes we would intentionally cook one slightly before closing). We would take the beer to the local hang out (not at mall, we had at least some judgement). One of those outings was the first time I got drunk. I would also goto the store there (don't remember the name -was said in video and was there before Dicks) to get comic books - didn't have a car and this was close. Also would goto Newscenter across the street by Giants (another strip mall which is technically gone). They actually had a dart tournament in the mall where I teamed up with my dad (a large number of my bonding moments with my dad was there and at Harondale Mall up the street [chess club was there - I sucked but it gave me a chance to hang with my dad]]. I know it sounds weird in 2018 (seems to me Malls now are designed to get what you need and get out) but this place was my home away from home. I will both miss it and remember all the good times I had there. Yeah, I am tearing up slightly while typing this. Like I said, from 12 (and before because my mom would take me here when she got her hair done) on up to 18 this was my home away from home and my escape from the world.

the trees look so vibrant and healthy such a shame.

Hi from the future. I wanted to say that I admire & appreciate how you treat people. You have respect for everyone. I’ve only heard you say “homeless gentleman” and it’s been many times. That warms my heart. In videos at later times, you’ve helped when you can. You have bought gift cards so a gentleman could get some warm clothes! I just….wow.

Dead Malls are creepy as hell. Its creepier that even in a completely dead mall, that mall music is still playing. Then there is the foreboding emptiness and echo.

As a kid I remember the mall having a pretzel stand and a line of arcade machines back to back in the center of the mall. That white room with the water fountain you were in use to be Montgomery Wards interior entrance. Power Gamer opened in the mid 90s and was a mecca for anyone who was interested in gaming. They lasted until the mall shut down. I took many many trips there growing up. Across from power gamer was squabbles a card gaming shop. I worked at the radio shack inside of the mall and the best buy briefly.

It is great that you narrate and tell some history about the malls. Subscribed.

There used to be a cookie store in there a long long time ago and it smelled so good. It was there in the early and mid 90's.

Thanks for documenting.. Toys RUs, Chess King, Zales, "Monkey" Wards, the Cinema, great memories. Drive In and bowling alley across Ritchie Hwy, News Center, we had to actually read to get info..no internet.. Great memories

Love love love the old commercials good times

I love how you add the old commercials and sounds in your videos. I’m not sure if this would look good or not but Is there a way to add a filter to make some of your videos have that VHS quality look to them? Keep up the great work and thank you for doing videos like this.

Remember my grandmother taking me to this mall back in the mid to late 70's!!!It was very active back than and it had all but changed when I moved back to Maryland for good in the mid 80's!!!smh..

I teared up at the toys r us commercial that one was from my generation I sang it verbatim

I had a lot of fun times in that mall growing up but it slowly diminished over the years! Thats the Toys r us we would go to so my Mom could pay our lay a way bill lmao!

The mall used to be called the Glen Burnie Mall. When I was a little one I could swear the anchor (at the north end) was a Korvette's and across Ritchie Highway was the Glen Burnie Drive In. I do remember it had so obviously been converted from an open center to a closed one. Used to love the Waldenbooks there and at Laurel Mall. Good Lord I feel old! :)

Thanks, Sal for all your documentation -- both video and background research.

This mall used to the have the best pizza, power gamer and borders.

Another mall I used to go to back in the 1980's while in the service. No longer live in the area and what a change.

Wow grew up in Glen Bernie, back in my day there was a GC Murphys, Wards of course, Chess King etc. Spent many quarters playing asteroids in the arcade. Bought an Atari 2600 at Toys R Us. Memories. Moved in 1984. Thx for the tour.

Big Like, have watched numerous videos of yours, really enjoy knowledge of its tenants, makes the Video more fascinating, keep up the good work!

man, I used to work at Hecht's and Le Chateau nEONS ago! Loved this place. I'v e been in CA past 25 years... thanks for the trip down nostalgia lane.

Awesome job as always, Sal.

Of note....Part of the Montgomery Wards Still Remains across the parking lot....there has been a Mattress Discounters? In the showroom part of the Montgomery Wards Auto Center since shortly after it closed which of I recall was a bit after the store closed...the shop portion sat empty mostly until a SALVO Auto Parts Store occupied the shop space and it is now a 4 Wheel Parts

Loved the music. Awesome video.

Sal you always do a excellent job and very knowledgeable.

The whole Toys-R-Us "I don't want to grow up" tagline is kind of dark, when you really get down to it

I used to go to the Toys R Us with my grandparents when I was a kid. Good memories, good, sweet memories.

I don't understand why mall mgmt decides to keep these places functioning with a couple tenants. Overhead costs of electricity, HVAC, etc surely outweighs rental income. Also Neenah Foundry that makes those tree grates is still in business and doing well.

The black Ceiling is what done the mall in for me. I could not stand that black ceiling. At one time, it was white and the lighting was kind of like the one in Marley. Now it just no for me.

Interesting video. Liked the comentary. Thanks.

Great video, a Debartolo mall! That guy sure got around, he was from my hometown, but had malls everywhere! Exlog 6✅

I wish Canadian malls had neon! I love neon and bright colors. Thank you for the awesome video!

My mom didn't spend much time in Marley Station though she did go there, I remember it. But this was the mall where I spent a lot of time as a kid back in the early, mid and late 90's.

This mall brings back memories. I saw the very first Star Trek movie that came out in the movie theater that was in this mall.

Fond memories of this mall. The entire Glen Burnie area is a shell of what it used to be. Including Marley Station down Ritchie Hwy. And Harundale (sp?) Mall as well. My grandma bought me my first scooter at Montgomery Wards (then wards) during their liquidation sale in the early 2000s. It was a knockoff because Razors were too expensive for us back in the day :) Endless Dreamcast was played in Best Buy, and Power Gamer was THE mecca for gaming in the area for years. Would always go there and be in amazement at the selection, and the Japanese market exclusive gaming they had. Not to mention Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. I saw my first Exodia there lol. They also had a location in the now demolished Owings Mills Mall. The only surviving one is at Reisterstown Plaza (I think is still open). In addition, Radio Shack was there well through the 2000s. I remember seeing the LG flip phones there with the RC cars I always begged my mom for. During the holidays, they had a train set that ran that I enjoyed as a kid. As you can see, there is much sentimental value to me with this mall. Thanks for visiting there, I have subscribed.

I really miss the heyday of the small local malls.

t e l e p a t h makes some absolutely fantastic music, one of my top favorites

The mall is still intact as of 2 weeks ago. They probably will demolish it soon now that toys r us is closing all their stores

RIP Powergamer

I wished that you could have taken a peek at the video game side of Power Gamer instead of the trading cards part of the store. I would love to see what it looked like empty.

Those threes have been there since I was kid and the red tile.

That was my mall as a kid.. footlocker Finish line Dicks Radio shack Montgomery wards Foot action Toys r us Walden books This place was a packed little mall and clean and quiet..sad it’s gone just like most of everything else..controlling bye the big guys ..soon will have 1 of everything and be doing everything from home

Over the years - the economy, the high-cost of retail leasing space, shopping trends, internet sales, neighborhood changes, theft and other crimes have a lot to due with the failure of many of these malls. Some of these problems were a result of overall poorly-run mall management. It might be a suitable place to relocate some of the State Office buildings and provide the much needed employment in the area instead of another one of Len Stoler's, etc. car sales parks.

Growing up we used to call this the Glen Burnie Hallway.

Glen Burnie Mall: The mall that isn't Marley Station Mall. And now even Marley Station is dying, which is weird to me.

There's now nothing left of this malls interior its all gone its just the front and rear entrance that leads to the ollies that took over the toys r us store

Always thinking in my head when I see this little foot traffic, Bring your sleeping bag and pillow and sleep in that center Kiosk area. No one would be the wiser.

Should visit garfield heights in OH :)

Wait. Was that Actor Jaleel White in 1.34 of Video? He was on the Show Family Matters in the Early or Mid 90.s?

I think it was the end of the year I went in there not knowing they shut out everything else and the mall entrance was only for the Toys R US. I turned the corner and it was just barren and empty.

Ok someone help me out in the toys r us commercial what is that pogo toy the well dressed kid is playing with?

Who else noticed Urkel at the end of the Toys R Us commercial?

watching this video in December of 2018...the commercial made me really sad

Why does it seem like all the debartolo malls are either demolished or dead

What is the telepath track you dubbed in the background. Loving the series and narrative 😽

I went there and toy r us when I was 4

Since you said this mall first opened in late 1963... Was it by chance this mall originally opened-up as an outdoor mall?

Are there any successful debartolo properties left?

Why would any store like GNC pay full rent in a mall that only has 2 stores left???

What was the opening music?

A driving school in a Mall ??? GNC seems last in every mall but there items are cheaper online go figure?!?!

That turtle looks lonely.

Let's Salute Toy's R Us

have you gone back to this mall?

5/13/18....LOG 6---Centre @ Glen Burnie, MD. "Convenient" fire in 1981? Sounds suspicious to me. And homeless man in your video---who is supposedly "hurt" & looking for mall "office" or "security" so must think "somebody" will pay for his "being hurt on the premises"? That's a hoot!!! Surprised many of your videos show clean/not trashed malls & big healthy plants....so somebody MUST be watering/caring for those trees. ALL THIS WASTED BEAUTIFUL. & PEACEFUL SPACE makes me so sad. SOMEBODY MUST BE PAYING PROPERTY TAXES + SECURITY + INSURANCE ON THESE MALLS? It's a real surprise thst these buildings are in as giid a shape as they are....esp this one from 1963!

Any update on this mall?

SHAME UPON THOSE WHO DIDN'T FIGHT BACK AGAINST A SYSTEM ABOUT DESTROYING PRIVATE BUSINESSES

Toy R Us just closed this past Friday so the future of the mall is doomed.

rip toys r us

I miss toys r us.,there taking everything away and it’s being proven now..

We are 138

Is demalled a real word? Is it possible to be malled to death?The music in the mall is, sorry, was awful and the inside needed to be improved. Is it still like this or has it been demolished now and if it is what does the site look like now?

Neenah,wi foundry

back in the early 80's my friend and I locked are bmx bikes to one of those trees and the way security acted as if we shot someone and almost did not give our bikes back said the trees were new and we were killing them. in fact it was the last tree in the video.

What A WASTE = SHAME UPON ALL INVOLVED

I like weenies

Are you sure that mall music didn’t do the place in? Man that’s some awful music.

America has such a homeless issue, do these voluminous spaces give you any ideas!?!?!?!?

Good video, but the background music is very tinny and annoying. Wasn't sure if it was the mall speaker system or from your editing.

Your volume is low on your video

Speak up. Can't hear you